The Spinning Magnet

The Electromagnetic Force That Created the Modern World--and Could Destroy It

De: Alanna Mitchell

Narrado por: P.J. Ochlan

The mystery of Earth's invisible, life-supporting power

Alanna Mitchell's globe-trotting history of the science of electromagnetism and the Earth's magnetic field--right up to the latest indications that the North and South Poles may soon reverse, with apocalyptic results--will soon change the way you think about our planet.

Award-winning journalist Alanna Mitchell's science storytelling introduce intriguing characters--from the thirteenth-century French investigations into magnetism and the Victorian-era discover that electricity and magnetism emerge from the same fundamental force to the latest research. No one has ever told so eloquently how the Earth itself came to be seen as a magnet, spinning in space with two poles, and that those poles have dramatically reversed many time, often coinciding with mass extinctions. The most recent reversal was 780,000 years ago.

Mitchell explores indications that the Earth's magnetic force field is decaying faster than previously thought. When the poles switch, a process that takes many years, the Earth is unprotected from solar radiation storms that would, among other disturbances, wipe out much and possible all of our electromagnetic technology. Navigation for all kinds of animals is disrupted without a stable, magnetic North Pole. But can you imagine no satellites, no Internet, no smartphones--maybe no power grids at all?

Alanna Mitchell offers a beautifully crafted narrative history of surprising ideas and science, illuminating invisible parts of our own planet that are constantly changing around us.

quite interesting take on our modern electronics world 🌎 and how we are influenced by the Suns 🌞 energy

quite interesting take on our modern electronics world 🌎 and how we are influenced by the Suns 🌞 energy

It’s amazing how much I thought I knew…but didn’t

Very clear and explained in layman terms without talking down to the listener. Now I will have to buy the book.

informative in an engaging way! 😎

Some terminology a little hard to grasp, but the pace and explanations usually pulled me through to a facinating perception of our World...our lil' Blue Marble in Space! 😉

Great read. Makes a complex field comprehensible.

Reall enjoyed listening to this book. I wish there were more like it on Audible. If you're not a physicist or an expert in electromagnets but are generally interested in the field or just plain old enjoy science, this is a great book.

I only wish there was a companion PDF to download as many of the initial descriptions of how the physics work would be better absorbed with illustrations to accompany the descriptions.

Almost too much informatio for an old scientist

I chose this book because I wanted to learn more about the 1859 Carrington Event, and I got it in spades! TMI! This is another Audible book that suffers from not having a hyperlink that takes the listener to the maps and images that are standard in any good book. For years I have shown students a map of the magnetic stripes and their ages on the ocean floors. Yet, this topic follows a huge amount of less important, and sometimes missguided history of magnetism. The spoken chapter numbers all differ by -2 from the listed chapter numbers. "Qua t ern' ary" was mispronounced. Make sure you listen to the last 2 chaters because the book explains why many lifeforms, including humans, are likely doomed, as is space travel to the moon and Mars.